HURRAH FOR HIDE-YOUR-TUM DRESSES
As Sam Cam launches a frock to hide the January bulge that doesn’t look like a sack
The slogan: ‘Ideal for covering up holiday excesses’ isn’t exactly a description to excite the imagination. But from where I’m standing — or, rather, lounging, mince pie still in hand — it’s got an awful lot going for it.
Sensible Samantha Cameron knows as much.
er new Cefinn collection, she models ng prairie dress, using the above phasise its forgiving nature. inated little Women stoked our tern-frontier fashion further. But tinged nostalgia, perhaps sam Cam has finally hit on the real reason for the appeal of the prairie dress: modern versions often have a pleasingly loose, waist-skimming cut.
In fact, when it comes to dresses, the waist has rather fallen out of favour in recent seasons. london designer Molly Goddard (most famous for that pink frou-frou number worn in tV drama killing Eve) has made a name for herself with tiered, empire-line dresses that fall away from the body. never mind mince pies, you could hide a whole table under one of her frothy creations. Meanwhile, French designer Isabel Marant includes bohemian high-necked dresses in practically every one of her collections, and a host of new brands, such as Batsheva, have built businesses on the appeal of the folkloric frock.
the seventies mood filtering through fashion is also inspiring some flattering designs.
My own fall-back when I’m feeling a little, ahem, conscious of my midriff is a black, highnecked By timo number with cream frills. It fits snugly across the shoulders and over the bust, before flaring out politely over my middle. take note: if no element of the dress is fitted, ‘sack of spuds’ will be the unfortunate overall effect.
styles with plenty going on up top are fabulous for drawing attention away from a holiday tummy. I’ve got my eye on the denim selected dress with ruffled neckline — plenty of room to hide that last box of leftover chocolates . . .